“How are things at home?” Penny asked, moving the subject away from herself.
“Not much to tell,” Martha said blandly. “My war with the deer is going a little better this year.”
“You mean they haven’t gotten your green beans or lettuce yet?” Penelope smiled indulgently into her phone. Gardening was a new enough hobby for her mom—not one she was particularly good at yet.
“No. But give them time,” she harrumphed. “I don’t trust them.”
“And we’re interviewing new teachers next week. Not as many applicants as I’d like, but we’ll see.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out, Dad. I have the utmost faith in your principaling abilities.”
These conversations, while not earth-shatteringly interesting, were always grounding for her. Her parents were always there, on the other end of the line, if she needed them. It made being away a little easier.
Chapter 9
By the time Friday evening rolled around, Penny was ready for it. She was excited to explore more of Ireland than just Cork City. And, as much as she’d tried not to think about it, she missed Finn. He hadn’t dropped by all week. If it weren’t for the fact that he had planned the weekend ahead, she would have thought he was avoiding her.
“Are ye ready?” Finn asked. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, his hair a little disheveled, as always, and there was a palpable energy about him. “Here, let me grab your bag.”
Penny had packed her carry-on bag for the two nights, finding it hard, as Bonnie had advised, to pack everything from a bathing suit to warm sweaters and everything in between. But she’d managed to shove it all in.
Finn’s energy was infectious. Any nervousness about seeing him again melted away. Her smile surfaced as he insistently reached for her bag.
“Siobhán!” he called out. “Are you ready?”
“Coming,” her voice wafted down the stairs. “Just give me two seconds.”
Finn rolled his eyes. “I’ve heard that before. Come on, let’s get your bag in the car.”
“This is my first trip out of the city. I can’t wait to see the countryside,” Penny enthused, following along behind him.
“Cork is brilliant. But there’s so much more to see. There are so many hidden gems. Maybe I can take ye on another trip next weekend if I haven’t got any gigs on.”
“That would be amazing!” Penelope gushed before she could stop herself. Then, she tried to rein it in, realizing her response was a little over the top.
The warmth in his smile reassured her. “Hop in. You should get shotgun. Siobhán has seen it all before. You should get the best view.”
“Agreed,” Bonnie said as she joined them, pulling her own carry-on luggage bag behind her and an extra pair of boots in her free hand. “I might nap anyway. I was up at the dawn. I think a little snooze in the car will sort me.”
“Perfect, Siobhán,” Penny tried out the name for the first time.
Bonnie’s lids lowered. “Not from you, Penelope. It just doesn’t sound right.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Penny agreed. She was delighted to see Bonnie crack a smile, though. She was hoping this trip would bring her back out of herself.
The drive to Crosshaven was half magical, half terrifying. The zig-zagging path they took, in and out of lanes so small they should have been meant for traffic only going one direction but was somehow meant for two, had her clutching the handle every time a car sped past them.
“I do know what I’m doing,” Finn said, noting her reaction.
“I’m depending on it.” She sat rigidly facing forward as if she could mentally control the oncoming traffic.
Eventually, the drive became quieter. Other cars became less frequent, allowing her grip to relax. Daring to look around, she discovered they were once again by the water.
“Is that still the River Lee?” she asked.
“No, that’s the sea. Look ahead.”
She followed where his finger pointed.
